If you want to buy in East Hampton
Town Pond in East Hampton is a small attraction in a village that one realty executive describes as "post-card perfect." (June 19, 2012) Credit: Gordon M. Grant
"Post-card perfect" is how Rylan Jacka, senior vice president of Sotheby's International Realty, describes the Village of East Hampton, citing historic landmarks, the windmill, beaches and shops, as well as old and new shingle-shake houses.
"To me, it's like a Norman Rockwell painting," says Judi Desiderio, chief executive of Town & Country Real Estate. There's nothing like watching the kids skate on Town Pond when it freezes, she says. "All four seasons are exceptional in this village."
Main Street -- lined with elm trees and dotted by boutiques, eateries and vintage buildings -- is busy in the summer. In an effort to make it safer for pedestrians, the state recently installed high-tech safety crosswalks that include special lighting to improve visibility at night.
Of five village beaches, Main Beach was ranked third on the 2012 Top 10 American Beach list compiled by Stephen Leatherman, a Florida coastal scientist known as "Dr. Beach." Georgica Beach, which suffered erosion from Tropical Storm Irene, is still coming back, says village administrator Larry Cantwell. "The other beaches are in great shape," he adds.
Buyers can find ranches, Victorians, postmoderns and mansions with prices ranging from $785,000 to $25 million, says Desiderio. "Business is much better than it was," she says. "People are picking up great deals." Jacka agrees. "It's been great. . . . We are all very busy and the market is still value-driven."
SEASONAL RENTALS
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, $30,000 to $300,000, says Jacka.
SALES PRICE
There were 10 home sales in the village the first quarter of 2012 with a median sales price of $2,143,750, according to Town & Country Real Estate's Hamptons sales reports. In the first quarter of 2011, there were six sales with a median sales price of $2,675,000.
ATTRACTIONS
Herrick Park; historic sites such as Home Sweet Home and Mulford Farm (for a full list, visit easthamptonvillage.org)
BY THE NUMBERS
Town. East Hampton
Area. 4.8 square miles
ZIP code. 11937
Population. 1,083
Median age. 55.5
Median household income. $84,234
Median home value. $2,143,750*
LIRR time to NYC. 2 hours, 39 minutes at peak
Monthly ticket. $429
Hampton Jitney. Stops in East Hampton
School district. East Hampton
Sources: 2010 census; mlsli.com; Long Island Rail Road
*First quarter 2012, according to Town & Country Real Estate
